This is the rarest, most valuable and the
highest military award of the Soviet Union. Only being awarded on 20 occasions
and only to top military leaders. It was given twice to Zhukov, Vasilevsky and
Stalin and not only Soviets, several foreigners, as well, including Roosevelt
and Montgomery. Nineteen were issued for merits during the Second World War. The
twentieth was bestowed on Brezhnev in 1978. Many considered this an undeserved
honour as he never had a notable military career. One reason given for it's
award being for his outstanding services in fortifying the country and his
conduct of foreign policy.

The statute is very brief, the Order of Victory is awarded, " for a successful operation within the framework of one or several fronts resulting in a radical change of the situation in favour of the Red Army."

The order was originally proposed by Colonel N. S. Neyelov, who served
in the headquarters of the Rear of the Soviet Army in July 1943. Initially to be
called the Order for Faithfulness to the Homeland but in October this was
changed to Victory. The badge's principle designer was Kuznetsov and went
through 15 drafts until a final design was selected by Stalin on 25 October.
The badge is a 72mm five-pointed ruby star on a platinum frame. The star being
bordered by 16 carats of diamonds. In the centre is a blue enamel circle with
portrayals of the wall of the Kremlin, the Mausoleum of Lenin and the Spasskaya
tower. Above this is the inscription "USSR" in white enamel and the
word "Victory" below. It is to be worn on the left side of the tunic
12 -14 cm above the belt. In 1945 it had an estimated value of £3,750.